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Dec. 22, 1953 J. E. ERHARDT,'JR 2,663,532

' REEL. MECHANISM l Filed July l0, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet l l; l o

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J. E. ERHARDT, JR

REEL MECHANISM Dec. 22, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July lO, 1947 ec. 22, 1953 J. E. ERHARDT, JR 2,663,512

REEL MECHANISM Filed July l0, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Syvum/M3011.'

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REEL MECHANISM Filed July lO, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 m @..q MLM www John EErzacd', .72.;

Dec. 22, 1953 J. E. ERHARDT, JR 2,663,512

REEL MECHANISM Filed July lO, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 22, 1953 J. E. ERHARDT, JR 2,663,512

REEL. MECHANISM Filed July lO, 1947 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 3x1/venin.

Patented Dec. 22, 1953 REELy MECHANISM John E. Erhardt, Jr., Baltimore, Md., assignor to Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc., Baltimore, Md., a corporation of New York Application July 10, 1947, Serial No. 759,952

8 Claims.

rThe present invention relatesv to reel mechanisms and, more particularly, to reel mechanisms such as are used to support coils of metal strip.

During the processing of metal strip, for example, during electroplating, pickling or other treatments, a coil of the strip to be treated is supported upon a reel mechanism so that the coil may be unwound for movement through the various processing stages.

Several types of reel mechanisms have heretofore been used, but each typehad certain disadvantagesv not present in the structure provided by the present invention. In one type of reel heretofore used, the coil engaging heads are radially expandable to engage the eye or central hole in the coil, the expansion of the head being controlled by exteriorly applied power. disadvantage of this type of mechanism. is that a separate source of power and separate controls must be provided to regulate the expansion of' the head. By a second type of prior reel mechanism, each head included elements which extend into the eye of the coil but the. coil is primarily gripped by contact of the head with the edges of the inner layers of the coil. The principal. disadvantage of this second type. of reel mechanism is that the edges of the inner layers of. the coil are mutilated by the axial pressure exerted upon them. A third type of prior reel mechanism engages the coil both by radial expansion of jaws within the coil eye, as well as by axial or edgewise pressure upon the coil. In some mechanisms of this latter type, the edgewise pressure actuates the radially movable members within the coil eye. In any event, this third type of mechanism is apt to mar the edges of the innel` layers of the coil.

An object of the present invention is to provide a reel mechanism wherein the coil will not be marred in any Way by the reel mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel mechanism which does not require any special actuating means or controls.

Another object of the invention is to provide a reel mechanism wherein the coil gripping shoes will be expanded by the axial contact of the head with an opposed head.

A further object of the invention is to provide a reel mechanism including an expandable head which engages only the inner surfaces of the eye of the coil.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a coil handling apparatus for use with reel mechanisms.

Other objects and advantagesof the invention will appear from the following specilcation and attached drawings wherein:

Figure l is a front elevation of a reel mechanism, the foundation of the mechanism being shown in vertical section.

Figure 2 is a vertical axial section of a reel head and its housing, the View showing the head in non-expanded position.

Figure 3 is a detail showing the reel brakeA mechanism in end elevation.

Figure 4 is a transverse section through the coil handling mechanism on the line 4 4 of Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a Vertical sectional view of the reel handling mechanism.

Figure 6 is an inner end view of` a reel head in expanded position.

Figure 7 is an axial section on the line 1 1 of Figure 6.

Figures 8 and 9 are transverse sections on the lines 8 3 and 9 9, respectively, ofv Figure 7.

IFigure 10 is an axial section on the line |0 i.0 of Figure 6.

Figure 11 is an enlarged detail of a toggle link, portions being shown in axial section.

Figure 12 is an end view of a toggle link.

Figure 13 is an end View of av coil engaging shoe, the view being taken looking toward Figure 14 from the left.

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of a coil engaging shoe, the view being taken on the line M M of Figure 13.

Figure 15 is an inside view of a coil engaging shoe, the view looking toward Figure 14 from the direction of the arrow associated with the latter figure.

Figure 16 is a transverse section on the line l l6 of Figure 15.

Figure 1'7 is an end view of a coil engaging shoe, the View being taken looking toward Figures 14 and l5 from the right.

Figure 18 is an elevation of a plunger provided in the coil engaging head.

Figure 19 is an end view of the plunger of Figure 18, the View being taken looking toward Figure 18 from the right.

Figure 20 is an axial section of the plunger on the line 2il 20 of Figure 18.

Figure 2l is a transverse section on the line 2i 2| of Figure 20.

Figure 22 is a face view of the inner end plate of the head.

Figure 23 is a diametrical section on the line 23 23 of Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a face view of the rear plate of the head.

Figure 25 is a diametrical section on the line 25-25 of Figure 24.

Figures 26 to 28 illustrate various detail parts of the head, and

Figure 29 diagrammatically illustrates the control circuits of the reel mechanism.

The construction and operation of the reel mechanism of the present invention may be generally described as follows:

As best shown in Figure 1, a coil C of strip metal, and including an eye E, is supported on the rotatable heads 9 and Qa of the present invention. The heads 9 and 9a each include a vplurality of shoes I which are radially movable to firmly engage the inner surface of the eye E. Four of the shoes IG normally would be provided on each of the heads 3 and 9a as best indicated in Figures 6 to 9. As is -best shown in Figure 2, the shoes I0 will be retracted, i. e., in an Yinward position, when a plunger I2 provided on each of theheads 9 and9a is positioned outwardly of the' head by the action of a spring I3.- Plunger lI2 is connected to the shoes Ill by means of links i4 and is axially movable on the shaft to which thecorresponding head is fixed; for example, the head 9 is positioned on a shaft I5 horizontally journalled in a housing I'I while the head 9a is fixed to' a shaft, not shown, journalled in a housing I 8. The housings I1 and I8 are movable longitudinally of a bed I9 by hydraulic pressure as hereinafter described and the housing I8 carries a motor 20 which drives the head.9a. When a coil C is engaged -by the expansion of the two heads, the heads `and coil will berotated together because of the coupling provided by the coil.

Whenthe heads and housingsV are separated so that a coil C may be positioned between them upon the coil handling apparatus 2l and the eye E of the coilis aligned with the then retracted or non-expanded heads, the housings I'I and I8 will be moved toward each other so that the heads will move into the. coil eye E. When the heads areretracted they will have :an outside diameter approximately less than the inside diameter of the eye E to permit free inward movement of the heads.

The heads will remain contracted by the action of the springs I3 until the heads of the plungers I2 come into contact, viz., when the plungers Iare somewhat closer together than is indicated in Figure 1.

When the plungers I2 come into contact with each other, therespective `plungers will be forced inwardly of their heads, for example, toV the extreme inward position indicated in Figure '7. The inward movement of the plungers I2 will cause the links I4 to move .from the position indicated in Figure 2 to the position illustrated in Figure 7, thereby moving the shoes I@ radially outwardly with regard to the remainder of the heads. As a result, the outer surfaces of the shoes I0 willY firmly engage the inner surface of the eye E to securely support the coil for rotation.

It will be understood that the coil and strip may be unwound either by pull exerted upon it from a distant source or by unwinding drive exerted by the motor 2i? or by a combination of both actions.

The detailed construction and operation of the various parts of the mechanism are described below.

The housings I'I and I8 are Aof usual construction and, as best shown in Figure 2, are horizontally slidable in aligned slideways forming part of bed I 9. Each housing is provided with journals and bearings such as designated at 25 for the head-carrying shaft supported therein. The non-powered shaft I5 of the head 9 may be provided with a brake drum 21 engaged by a brake band 28, the tension exerted by the brake being adjustable by the mechanism generally indicated at 29 in Figure 3. That is, the brake band may lbe adjusted to exert retarding action against rotation of the `coil or to prevent overtravel or free rotation of the coil when no driving power is exerted thereon.

Each of the heads 9 and 9a are of identical construction and, therefore, corresponding parts of each head are given identical numerals and only the detail construction of the head 9 will be described.

Referringv to Figures 2 and '7, the head 9 includes a back plate 30 keyed to the shaft I5 by a key 30a shown in Figure 28. Plate 33 is held against movement lengthwise of the shaft by abutment against a shoulder 3l on the shaft, a collar 32 threaded on the shaft maintaining the abutting contact.

The inner end of shaft I5 is bored to provide a socket 33, best shown in Figure 2, and the spring I3 positioned in the bore contacts with a plateY 34 threaded in the innerend of the plunger I2, thereby normally urging the plunger to the position illustrated in Figure 2. The plunger I2 is illustrated in detail in Figures 18 to 21 and is of generally sleeve-like form. However, adjacent its .respective ends plunger `I2 is provided with two series of ears or apertured bosses 36 and 31, respectively. .Four pairs of apertured bosses 38 are provided in each series with the axes of the two bosses of each pair being aligned or common and extending tangentially yof the 'plunger I 2. Each pair of a series havetheir commonV axis at right angles to the axis of the two adjacent pairs.

As shown in Figure 10, aninner plate 4G is secured to the rear plate 30 by means of bolts and machine screws indicated at 4I. The inner plate Mis provided with a bore 42 which fits the outer 'surface of the plunger I2 so that the Vplunger may slide relatively to inner plate 40,

as well as shaft I5 and rear plate 30.

As is illustrated in Figure 8, the plunger I2 is keyed upon the shaft l5 in such a way that each pair of bosses 38 will lie between and clear of the bolt devices 4I. 27 secured to the inner end plate 40 further holds plunger I2 and plate 40 against rotation relative to shaft I5. Each pair of bosses 38 on plunger I2 has a pin 45 secured therein by means of set screws and the inner ends of the links I4 are pivoted on the pins 45 between the bosses 38 of each pair of bosses. The preferred form of the links I4 is illustrated in Figures 11 and 12 from which it will be observed that each link comprises spaced sleeve portions 4S and 47 joined by a ribbed web 48. The sleeve portion 46 is of less length than the sleeve portion 47 and is adapted to be pivotally mounted onthe pins 45 fixed in the apertured bosses 38 of plunger I2. The outer and longer sleevesAlV of the links I 4 pivotally engage pins 5E fixed in and extending between each of two pairs of apertured bosses 5I and 52 cast upon the inner sides of each shoe i!) as illustrated in Figures 13 to 17. Each shoe IE! is of generally arcuate form and of approximate- A key a shown in Figure 'tangential of the outer v surface of the shoe. As

is best'shown in Figure 7, the `longitudinal spacing of the pairs ofv bosses-| and `52 on the .shoes I0 is the same as the spacing between the series and 3l' of the bosses 'on the plunger I2 Yso that the pairI of links IA connectedto a shoe Ill Wil-l always lie in parallel planes and a line extending longitudinally` vof the shoes will always be parallel to the axis of the shaft I5 and plunger I2.

As is best shown inFigures 14 and l5, each shoe Ill is provided with a nose 55 at its inner end which is adapted to engage a radial slot 5S in the p-eriphery of the inner face plate 40. The outer surface 5i of the nose 55 is bevelled at the same angle as the bevel h on the face plate 40. As indicated in Figure 2, when the shoes are in retracted position, the bevelled surfaces 51 and 40a will form a continuous bevelled surface. At its outer edge, each shoe I9 is provided with a groove 58 and a ange or rib 59 immediately inwardly of the groove. A recess 60 is formed intermediate the groove and flange and a block or key I of the form illustrated in Figure 2t' is secured in the recess. As best shown in Figure 9, the key 6I engages a radial slot $2 in the periphery of the back plate 30. It will be noted that the nose and key @I on each shoe prevent the latter from moving circumferentially of the (j head.

As has been indicated above, the heads 9 and 9a will be moved into the eye E of a coil C, the bevelled formation of the inner edges of the heads facilitating their entry into the eye. At this time, the lateral edges of the shoes Il! will be substantially in contact with each other, forming a substantially continuous cylindrical surface of a diameter about 1% less than the coil eye diameter. When the opposed plungers I2 of the heads come into contact by movement of the housings I 'I and I8 toward each other, the plungers will be moved against the action of the springs I3, thereby causing the links i4 to move toward a position normal to the axes of the heads. The ribs 59 on the inner edges of the shoes I Il will hold the latter against movement axially of the heads; in other words, will force the heads to move outwardly along a line normal to the head axis. As is indicated in Figures '7 and l0, when the shoes are in their maximum outward position, their ribs 59 will still be in contact with the inner surface of the back plate 30.

It will also be noted from Figure l that the shoes I0 and heads 9 and 9a have a length in an axial direction approximating half the width of a coil C so that they will engage a major portion of the longitudinal surface of the eye E. Also, there are no projections from the periphery of the heads 9 and 9a to prevent their movement into the eye or engage the edge of the coil. As is hereinafter explained, the plungers will be held in contact by the hydraulic system which moves the heads toward and away from each other so that no other operating means for the heads is required. It will thus be clear that the hydraulic means also holds the shoes Il) in firm contact with the periphery of the coil eye E.

The coil handling mechanism 2I is best illustrated in Figures 1, 4 and 5 and comprises a xed cradle formed of two spaced arms d3 secured to the bed I9 and joined together by a bridge portion 64. Bridge portion 64 supports a vertically arranged cylinder 65 and is also provided with bores E6 in which move guiding plungers 61 secured to and depending from a movable cradle Vt8. VAs 'is indicated `in Figure 4, oneside ofthe cradle elements (the right-hand side of lFigure 4) is attenedso that a coil may be'rolled onto the cradle elements and into a curved depres sion, further movement of the coil being pre'- vented by 'the upstanding abutment portions of 'the cradles indicated lat the left of Figure 4i The movable cradle 68 hasa piston rod t9 secured thereto and extending into the cylinder '65.

The head-carrying housings II and I8 "are movable by hydraulic pressure through a mechanism such as is illustrated in Figures 1 'and 2. Referring to those figures, it will be vobserved that within the bed I9 each housing has a piston rod 'In extending horizontally beneath the yhousing and into a cylinder 1I fixed to the adjacent end of the bed.

Figure 29 discloses the hydraulic system for operating the cradle element as well as for 4mving the housings I'I and I8 along the bed I9 and thereby controlling the operation of thehea'ds 9 and 9a. It will be observed that the Ahydraulic system includes a pump P driven by a motor M. Fluid moves from the pump P through an outlet line 'l2 to a fitting 'I3 and thence to diagrammatically illustrated valves '34, '.'5 and 16, respectively adapted to control the movement `of the housing Il, the housing IS and the movable cradle ed. It will be clear from the diagram that the valves 74 and 'I5 can be selectively operated to move the housings toward each other or apart or to hold the housings xed, depending upon the position to which the valves are operated. Valve 'le to control the ilow of fluid to the cylinder also is obviously operable to either cause the movable cradle 68 to be raised or lowered or held in a xed position.

The terminology used in the specification is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a reel mechanism, a bed, a pair of housings movable toward and away from each other along a line lengthwise of said bed, a coil supporting head carried by each housing, said heads including radially movable coil engaging elements, each of said heads being provided with an axially movable member, said members being opposed and arranged to contact with each other, and means operatively connecting said members to said elements to control the radial position of the latter.

2. A reel mechanism of the character dened in claim 1 wherein the coil engaging portion of each head has a length approximating half the axial width of the coils adapted to be supported thereon.

3. In a reel mechanism, a bed, a pair of housings movable toward and away from each other along a line lengthwise of said bed, a coil supporting head carried by each housing, each of said heads including radially movable coil engaging elements, an axially movable member positioned centrally of said elements, said members being opposed and arranged to contact with each other, means operatively connecting said members to said elements to control the radial position of the latter, and means to move said housings lengthwise of said bed.

4. In a reel mechanism, a bed,- a pair of housings movable toward and away from each other along a line lengthwise of said bed, a coil supporting head carried by each housing, each head including a central shaft rotatable in the corre- `sponding housing, a plunger at the inner end of -said shaft, means to urge the plunger beyond said end of the shaft, radially movable coil eye engaging shoes extending lengthwise of the head, Vand links pivotally connecting the plunger and shoes so that the position of said plunger axially of the shaft and head will control the position of the shoes radially of the head, said shoes normally dening a head circumference of a diameter which is at least as great as the diameter of said plunger and less than the diameter of a coil eye to be supported thereon.

5. A reel mechanism of the character defined in claim 4 wherein the shoes of each head dene a cylinder of uniform diameter throughout its length.

6. A reel mechanism of the character defined in claim 4 wherein the shoes of each head have a length axially of the head which approximates half the axial width of the coils adapted to be supported thereon.

7. A reel mechanism comprising a bed, a pair of housings slidable on said bed, each of said housings being provided with a rotatably mounted head, the respective heads being axially opposed, each head including a shaft rotatable in the corresponding housing, a central plunger movable axially of the head, shoes movable radially of the head, and means operatively connecting said plunger and shoes whereby the shoes will move radially upon axial movement of the plunger, and means to move said housings and heads lengthwise of said bed to bring their plungers into opposed contact with each other.

8. A reel mechanism of the character dened in claim 7 wherein the shoes of each head have a length axially of the head which approximates half the axial Width of the coils adapted to be supported thereon.

JOHN EI. ERHARDT, JR.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,337,017 Kenworthyv Apr. 13, 1920 1,986,090 Winters Jan. 1, 1935 2,015,086 Paynter et al Sept. 24, 1935 2,271,139 Holdgate et al. Jan. 27, 1942 2,293,759 Fouse Oct. 13, 1942 2,345,246 Elka Mar. 28, 1944 2,352,042 Van der Linde June 20, 1944 2,454,984 Bader Nov. 30, 1948 2,481,000 Brunner Sept. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 537,318 Mance Mar. 1, 1922 489,583 Germany Jan. 18, 1930 330,719 Great Britain June 19, 1930 855,420 France Feb. 12, 1940 

